Ultimate Dog

Luna Lupus

Luna’s passion for learning about canine psychology and behavior began when she adopted a severely reactive puppy from a local shelter. She is now a big advocate for positive reinforcement and compassionate training. As a writer, she strives to spotlight the topics that fly under the radar and be the voice for all who cannot speak for themselves.

Essential oils for dogs

Essential Oils for Dogs: Therapeutic Use, Safe Practice, and Scientific Insight

Do essential oils really have healing potential, or are they just a placebo? Are the oils harmful to dogs, or is there a safe way to use them? This article pulls back the curtain on how essential oils can be beneficial to dogs, the growing research behind them, and the safety considerations every dog owner needs to know. 

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Dog diarrhea treatments

Simple and Effective Home Treatments for Diarrhea in Dogs

The internet has a lot of contradicting suggestions on how to address diarrhea in dogs. The amount of information can be confusing and overwhelming, leaving you with more questions than answers. Should you switch your dog’s food? Should you give them chicken and rice? Hypoallergenic kibble? The problem of diarrhea is often layered, and so the solution must be layered as well. You need a plan. 

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Rawhide for dogs

Rawhide for Dogs: Understanding the Dangers and Exploring Alternatives

Rawhide treats are a byproduct of the leather industry. In the production of leather, the hide of an animal (mostly cow) is split into inner and outer layers. The outer skin layer is manufactured into leather, and the inner layer is left over. That leftover inner layer is then collected from tanneries and made into rawhide chews through a lengthy process that includes a lot of chemicals. 

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Steroid use in dogs

The Dark Side of Short & Long-Term Steroid Use in Dogs

Steroids don’t treat the condition but only attempt to manage the symptoms on the surface. The side effects of corticosteroid treatment are often worse than the original symptoms, including wounds that don’t heal, skin infections, diabetes, and many others. This article explores a realistic picture of short & long-term steroid use in dogs, sharing the dark side of its side effects that too many dog owners aren’t warned about. 

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natural antibiotics for dogs

5 Best Natural Antibiotics for Dogs According to Science 

Messing with the gut is messing with canine health. The most concerning side effects from antibiotics include chronic diarrhea, weakened immune system, higher risk for developing allergies, lowered levels of serotonin (leading to neurological side effects), increased chance of obesity, impaired functioning of kidneys and the liver, heart arrhythmias, and lung disease.

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Can dogs be vegetarian?

Can Dogs Be Vegetarian? Biology, Nutrition, and Dietary Evolution

A few decades ago, the question of dogs on a vegetarian diet would hardly cross anyone’s mind. Dogs are the descendants of domesticated wolves, so a meat-based diet is what they would choose for themselves. It’s been many centuries since dogs could pick their own diet, though, so the responsibility for their nutrition now lies solely with their guardians. The diet of any modern dog is shaped significantly by his owners’ personal beliefs and lifestyle practices.

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Apoquel side effects

Long-Term Use of Apoquel: 4 Hard Truths you Need to Know!

From Zoetis being reprimanded by the FDA for minimizing Apoquel’s risks, to numerous studies showing a strong link to cancer, Apoquel for dogs clearly has a dark side. Many dog owners discovered that on their own … when it was already too late. If you’re still on the fence about Apoquel, this article shares FOUR hard truths about the long-term use of Apoquel that every dog owner should know!

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dog dementia

Dog Dementia: Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) In Aging Dogs

Aging affects all organs in the body, including the brain. It physiologically changes as our pet ages — it becomes smaller and lighter, often with a slightly reduced blood flow. Not every dog’s brain ages in the same way, though. There are significant changes in a senior dog’s brain that are developing cognitive dysfunction.

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metronidazole for dogs

Metronidazole for Dogs Is a Toxic Health Hazard

It’s interesting that a drug NOT approved by the FDA for veterinary use is so widely prescribed in veterinary clinics. In North America, metronidazole is sold under the brand name Flagyl and is routinely used in veterinary medicine off-label. In Europe and the UK, one commercially available product is on the market for dogs & cats, sold under the name Metrobactin. It’s approved for use on pets with bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, mouth, and skin.

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